The NFL tells PFT that the appeal will instead be handled by Commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee.

League spokesman Greg Aiello explained that Shell or Cottrell handle appeals involving player conduct against other players. The Collective Bargaining Agreement supports the league’s position; Article 46, Section 1(b) delegates to Cottrell or Shell only fines or suspensions for “unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct on the playing field.”

So the distinction doesn’t arise simply from off-field versus on-field. Instead, Shell or Cottrell have jurisdiction over only a specific type of on-field conduct.

And they won’t have the final say over whether Sanders was faking his injury.

Goodell wants nip this one before anyone else tries it. Faking injuries is total B.S., this isn’t soccer. I actually like this move by the Commish.

contract says:Nov 11, 2012 3:04 PM

“Others have done the same, just as obvious, without a fine.”

Sanders was fined for faking an injury while wearing a Steelers jersey.

awesomeberger92 says:Nov 11, 2012 3:49 PM

“Goodell wants nip this one before anyone else tries it. Faking injuries is total B.S., this isn’t soccer. I actually like this move by the Commish.”

Alright… No one else has faked an injury in pro football? Really? Maybe you mean it’s never been so obvious. Really? That’s not true either.

Goodell just “happened” to decide to put a stop to these fakes right after Sanders did it. Sanders just “happens” to be a Steeler. Ok.

Goodell just “happens” to victimize Pittsburgh every chance he gets.

fsf7 says:Nov 11, 2012 4:07 PM

The situation that Sanders went down with was obvious that he was not hurt.

The problem is that it’s all but impossible to prove it.

koenig61 says:Nov 11, 2012 6:01 PM

I agree with many posters on here. We don’t want the NFL to turn in to those fake soccer injuries, however how can you possibly prove sanders didnt have a cramp? And more importantly players fake injuries in every game to slow down a no huddle offense, or preserve a timeout.

The leagues ruling was that sanders didnt have a history of having cramps, and that he came in the next play and gave full effort, and was first down the field in punt coverage.

Ok, so now we are going to base decisions on a players previous history of injuries?? And I suppose no other player has ever left the field for an injury and then came back and made a tackle, caught a pass, or ran for a first down?? So unless a player comes back after a injury and sucks on the next play he was faking?

You can’t just draw your own conclusions because you “think” he’s guilty.

It’s all about player safety right commissioner ? So should a player risk further injury because he’s worried if he leaves the field comes back you might decide he was faking it, and you will fine him ?

This commissioner is so transparent, yet the only one calling him out on it are the fans.

ravenator says:Nov 11, 2012 8:38 PM

He shouldn’t win any appeal, hes a pathetic cheating fool. Of course hed be supported by steeler fans

ialwayswantedtobeabanker says:
Nov 11, 2012 1:30 PM
[Preliminary Note: the commentary below has nothing to do with anything fact-specific to the Emmanuel Sanders. Rather, the notes are intended to speak solely to procedure.]

What a great system: the ONE singular authorized individual who ruled against you, also happens to be the ONE and ONLY ONE individual that also authorized to rule on the appeal.

The whole purpose of an appeal is to get a second opinion that questions the initial opinion.

Imagine if our judicial system had trial judges with such unchecked power. They could do what they want, whenever they want — kind of like what we see with Goodell.
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The majority of the players voted for the CBA, which included the commissioner’s role in the appeals process, for another percentage point of the league’s gross revenue.

It would seem that fans care more about this now than the players–or at least their union representation–did 15 months ago. And they’ll never get the commissioner’s power reduced now without giving back much more in 10 years than they ever received for selling it.

There’s a reason the owners continue to be extremely wealthy and the vast majority of players are broke 5 years after they quit playing.